Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - DECEMBER 11, 2023
Tattler Reporter John Dunne
Tattler Editor Catherine Riordan
Photographer: Mike Diehl
Astronaut Pinky Nelson
Webb Telescope
Update
Opening Welcome:
Prior to the start of the meeting, the members were serenaded with Christmas carols by the Rotary Brass, enlarged with the addition of a lead trumpet, tuba, and baritone.
President Doug Cole brought the meeting to order at 12:30 with a reminder that, even though space is huge, it is for all of us to explore, not just a few lucky ones who get to walk in space. He also announced that there will be a Board meeting this Thursday at 4:30 on Zoom.
Invocation
Brad Burdick turned to AI to prepare this holiday invocation, which he recited in the cadence of 'The Night Before Christmas." Brad's performance was great, befitting a former director of MBT, and the phraseology so like Brad: "dance beneath the moon, and "cosmic embrace" are just two examples and my favorites.
Guests:
John Moffat introduced speaker Pinky Nelson
Monty McAllister introduced Tor Benson with Financial Plan, Inc. and Cal Mann
Aaron Booker brought Crystal Garcia
Del VandeKerk introduced Con Ringus and Rotary Brass guests: Pete Kirkman and Mark Lindenbaum
George Halsell introduced his wife, Melanie, who also sat in with the Rotary Brass
Bill Day brought his wife, Lynn
Mark Knittel introduced Ray Kamada, upcoming speaker February 12th "Where is Global Warming Headed?"
Visiting Rotarians:
Bryan Hennessey with the Ferndale Rotary Club
Tim and Pati Villhauer with the Passport Club
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Jack Westford, Mike Bradburn and Shauna Naf
Former Rotarians: Bob Brunkow and Chuck Snyder
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Dave Blair reminded members to get their Major Project Pledge in soon for the Light House Mission Medical Clinic. Our goal is 100% member participation; currently, we are at 52%! Please get ahold of Dave Blair or Sandee Lindhout with your pledges. Click here for the form.
Tim Farris provided his Rotary moment: “Things that are not on my resume” ranging from a less than stellar kindergarten report card to an embarrassing public hip hop dance as an adult. Probably the most disastrous misadventure was not engaging the emergency brake of the tow truck he was driving for a teenage job. Unfortunately, the truck was at the top of a long ramp and was badly damaged when it crashed and rolled over at the end of the ramp.
Mystery Photo: Tim Farris
Weekly Payment Reminder
VENMO:
@RCOB- Bellingham.
Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532.
CASH / CHECK:
Yes, we still take these and saving on fees is appreciated.
George “Pinky” Nelson gave us an update on the Web space telescope which has been in orbit for two years. Pinky is Bellingham’s celebrity astronaut. He has received numerous awards and accolades. He flew three missions, including the first shuttle flight after the Challenger disaster. Currently, he is the Director of Science, Mathematics and Technology and Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Western Washington University. In addition, he also holds other positions at UW and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In contrast to his presentation to RCOB three years ago about various proposed shuttle escape mechanisms, which was hilarious, his presentation about the Web Space Telescope was full of engrossing new information about stars, galaxy formation, dark matter and the earliest stars. This presentation was essentially a mini astronomy course on deep space.
The Web Space Telescope is in orbit 1 million miles from earth at a point in space where the gravitational pulls of the Earth and sun are exactly equal and its orbital speed is synchronized with the Earth. The telescope's instruments are protected from the sun’s rays by a large mylar shield. The sensors detect infrared light and ultraviolet radiation. This allows the telescope to “see” far greater distances than any other telescope, including the Hubble. Because infrared light and ultraviolet have taken so long to reach our solar system, the view is of the first light after the Big Bang and the end of the Dark Age before stars were formed. The view is of the universe when it was only 240 million years old, while the current universe has existed for 13.7 billion years, a mere 0.0175% of the universe’s existence.
He detailed many more objectives of the telescope from looking for the formation of the earliest elements other than H and He to searching for exoplanets with oxygen and water--too much interesting information to detail in the Tattler. One of the Web’s most intriguing discoveries was that the speed at which the universe is expanding, when calculated using two different methods, does not match. Like many advances in science, new discoveries reveal new challenges and scientific questions.
Closing:
President Doug asked Mr. Nelson to stay after to answer questions. He thanked those who had contributed to the meeting and asked members to help clean up and rearrange the room. He adjourned the meeting shortly after 1:30 PM.
RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds.
Click on the button below for the the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page. Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
Rotary Moment
